A blind dog was found tied to a pallet of bricks in Maidstone with no food, water or shelter.

The black and white springer spaniel, who has glazed eyes, was found tied by a blue piece of nylon string at Hayle Place, near Cripple Street, last Tuesday.

She was taken to the RSPCA centre in Leybourne where she is recovering from her ordeal and named Delphine.

She is so weak, staff have had to carry her everywhere.

RSPCA inspector Tina Nash, who rescued her, said: "Understandably she was very nervous when I picked her up. I cannot understand how someone can leave a dog that has gone blind, alone, scared and with a chance of her escaping and potentially being lost or injured on a road.

"These people do not deserve to have animals if they are going to abandon them when things go wrong."

Delphine is receiving veterinary treatment and lots of TLC from staff at the centre.

She is thought to be between five and seven years old and suffering from a number of health issues, including cataracts in both eyes that have left her almost totally blind, as well as ear infections.

"Poor Delphine is still a little bewildered at the moment. Because she is blind it is so much harder for her to be able to adjust to her new surroundings after her ordeal but she is slowly but surely coming out of her shell,” said Angelina Allingham at the Leybourne centre.

"Due to the fact she is so weak and disorientated the staff are carrying her around in their arms most of the time and taking special care to introduce her gradually to new places. We all have our fingers crossed that she will pull through and be able to find a loving new home."

Anyone with information about Delphine and how she came to be dumped, call 0300 123 8018.